Lebanon, Missouri Comments

"Burglaries"

Burglaries - 11/23/2006

2

1

William

Burglaries are rampant here. Burglars are fairly safe from law enforcement.

Lebanon Law Enforcement (City Police Department):

City Police Officers spend most of their time with domestic disputes, vandalism and misdemeanor/felony stealing. The remainder of their time is spent clearing teenagers (loiterers) from the local McDonald's/Taco Bell parking lots. Teenagers have had a "cruising" route in the city since the 1950's. Loud automobile exhaust noise, stereos, horn honking and careless driving abound. The city limits is inadequately covered by policemen. They are usually in close proximity of each other and not broken up in zones to cover the entire city at all times. Most domestic disputes and minor accidents draw the entire on-duty force to one location. A railroad occasionally runs through the middle of town. When it does, law enforcement is sometimes caught on one side or the other, until it passes, leaving the other half of our community unattended.

Laclede County Law Enforcement (Sheriff's Department):

Misdemeanor and felony stealing outside the city limits of Lebanon are a daily occurrence. This fact is validated by local newspaper front page articles. Residents go to work, leave their property unattended and thieves steal anything and everything of value. No one is really sure who is doing it. The Laclede County Sheriff's Department has not solved ANY burglaries in recent history. Stolen items include, but are not limited to, the following:

It is very easy to see that the Sheriff's Department is inadequately operated and staffed. Simply, there are not enough Deputies to cover this large county. Generally, there are too many idle Deputies on the day shift. Each is assigned specific areas of responsibility that does not require 100% of their attention. Instead of patrolling the county, they are usually found at the station. It is very easy for a person to drive through the county (56 miles at the farthest points), and never see a Sheriff's Deputy. Oftentimes, there are only two (2) Deputies "on-duty" to cover the night shift on weekends. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is frequently asked to help with county business.

It is odd that the disgruntled posters here do not reveal THEIR stellar hometowns for everyone else to scrutinize. Every town, city and state has it's unique problems. I'd venture a guess that your location is not much different than Lebanon. If you're unhappy here, I suggest you pack up and split or pass on by and don't give us a second look. We will get along fine as we have since the late 1800s, without you and your opinions.

I'm a Lebanon native. Our town used to be much safer and enjoyable place to live, before people from other cities and states flocked in here for the cheaper cost of living. Yes, we have our derilects, druggies, thieves and uneducated morons, but look around your own hometown and you'll find the same. Also check the local paper here and scan the municipal court records. Many of those that commit crimes here are from other cities, towns and states.
Not that many years ago, you could leave your Lebanon/Laclede County home, doors unlocked and no one would bother your possessions while you were gone. Leave your truck doors unlocked, rifle, shotgun or fishing rod hanging in the rack, while you shopped or dined in a restaurant and you were confident that your possessions were still there when you returned. But, not anymore. Your town is no different.
Unfortunately, burglaries, domestic disputes, murders and drug use are on the rise everywhere. This is not a Lebanon exclusive. If there are those that are afraid of crime, I suggest that they buy property in a wilderness, build themselves a bunker fortress and live underground. Otherwise, they can't escape it, no matter where they live or visit. Many in our country today lack moral values, were raised by parents or guardians that weren't capable of acting responsibly or controlling themselves, much less offspring of their own or children in their care. Everywhere applies, not just Lebanon.
If many complainers would spend some time here, instad of stop overnight or visit for a few hours and gripe, they would find many residents to be good and honest people. There are those that still stop and try to help stranded motorists, go out of their way to give directions, get along with others and welcome visitors. But, if you stop here briefly as a momentary tourist and come across someone that doesn't suit you, he or she may well be from somewhere else like you.

Come on! There are plenty of cops both city and county, they are just bullies. It is a daily occurance to taz people whom are not criminals. I think they get their daily dose of COPS on tv at the station then head out to create criminals out of unexpecting citizens. Unlawful entry, unlawful searches, harressment, resisting arrest. The only thing I have ever seen them do for the good of the people is head up a funeral. Any drug bust is done by the State Patrol. If the cops get caught screwing up, they get promoted not punished. The whole system is based on money earned by ticketing teenagers and proving your innocentence after and unlawful arrest.

I would not live in this town. It is really bad with drugs and other illegal activities. My husband took a job in a nearby city and we were going to buy in this town because of location. However, we were glad when my husband's job moved him back to another area. The school's my children went to were so sad. The population is so uneducated and ignorant about how important school is. We were there for a year and read in the newspaper about 5 homicides. This town has more used car lots then people. I would think twice about moving back.

I am in the Army and was stationed nearby. The town says friendly people friendly place. Yes it is if you are an uneducated good old boy. The town wanted to impeach its major after a week in office because he tried to break the system from the good old boy network. The schools are terrible. Almost all the kids get bused in the town. There is one school for K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-8. So if your kids are a little spread apart you stick them on a bus for an hour to get them to school. There is no PTO's and we were told because it is to hard for parents to be involved. To me that is sad that people don't get involved with their childs education. The high school had 40 girls pregnant when we left out of 1100 students. The rec center is a dump and has no activities for development and when left it was so much a dept they were closing the activities they do have down. I have never seen so much meth use in such a small town. Most are very preduduce to other people. I heard the word "colored" to many times in that town. Most people talk like they know the world but have never left the county. If your not baptist and go to the popular churches your not excepted. Church to them is a popularity contest rather then a religous experience. Sad that so many people are so ignorant. I would avoid this place like the plauge.

Locally we have Smitty's & Price Cutter. Aldi's is GREAT for discount groceries, then there is always Walmart Super Center. We have a seasonal Farmer's Market and our locals always have something farm fresh to sell.

We have Smittys & Price Cutters grocery stores, but my favorite is ALDIS! Then there is always the Walmart super store for everything else. Also you can find a discount Bakery shop. DAYLIGHT DONUTS has the best donuts and great coffee. We have some of the cheapest gas. My yearly property taxes are below $1000.00 for a house and over 2 acres. It is all pretty good here, I like it.

Its a small town with barely any crime. That's why when there is something happening there you see at least five cop cars on site, even if it's a jay walking situation. Since it is a small town, there really isn't anything to do there.

Burglaries are rampant here. Burglars are fairly safe from law enforcement.
Lebanon Law Enforcement (City Police Department):
City Police Officers spend most of their time with domestic disputes, vandalism and misdemeanor/felony stealing. The remainder of their time is spent clearing teenagers (loiterers) from the local McDonald's/Taco Bell parking lots. Teenagers have had a "cruising" route in the city since the 1950's. Loud automobile exhaust noise, stereos, horn honking and careless driving abound. The city limits is inadequately covered by policemen. They are usually in close proximity of each other and not broken up in zones to cover the entire city at all times. Most domestic disputes and minor accidents draw the entire on-duty force to one location. A railroad occasionally runs through the middle of town. When it does, law enforcement is sometimes caught on one side or the other, until it passes, leaving the other half of our community unattended.
Laclede County Law Enforcement (Sheriff's Department):
Misdemeanor and felony stealing outside the city limits of Lebanon are a daily occurrence. This fact is validated by local newspaper front page articles. Residents go to work, leave their property unattended and thieves steal anything and everything of value. No one is really sure who is doing it. The Laclede County Sheriff's Department has not solved ANY burglaries in recent history. Stolen items include, but are not limited to, the following:
FIREWOOD
BICYCLES
LAWN MOWERS/WEED EATERS/CHAINSAWS
JEWELERY
MONEY
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
AUTOMOBILES
AUDIO EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES/COMPUTERS/TV
LIVESTOCK
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
CLOTHING
It is very easy to see that the Sheriff's Department is inadequately operated and staffed. Simply, there are not enough Deputies to cover this large county. Generally, there are too many idle Deputies on the day shift. Each is assigned specific areas of responsibility that does not require 100% of their attention. Instead of patrolling the county, they are usually found at the station. It is very easy for a person to drive through the county (56 miles at the farthest points), and never see a Sheriff's Deputy. Oftentimes, there are only two (2) Deputies "on-duty" to cover the night shift on weekends. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is frequently asked to help with county business.